IBM touts the world's largest industrial research group and is bringing those resources to bear on its clients' business difficulties. "You invent something, that's nice, but it doesn't buy you a whole lot," IBM research senior vice president Paul M. Horn says. "It's invention in the marketplace that counts...We call it on demand innovation services." IBM researchers based at the flagship Watson Research Centre or in other global research facilities have already helped numerous clients in unique ways. Staples tapped IBM research skills for new supply chain software, and Fidelity Capital's BostonCoach executive chauffeur service worked with IBM on a new fleet optimisation system. IBM Global Services Boston-area chief Roger Letalien says of the new research effort, "They are now laser-focused on innovation around services." IBM leadership is aligning the entire company more closely with customer demands, according to technology and strategy vice president Irving Wladawsky-Berger, who says IBM helps companies figure out what to do with technology. IBM recently reorganised its software group along industry lines, instead of according to product, similar to how the firm's consulting group approaches the market. IBM researchers team up with consultants to attack problems specific to the client, such as in the case of Unicco Service, a office cleaning service that hired IBM to create technology that would differentiate them from competitors. IBM researchers were involved in creating a data-sharing "account management" portal that more effectively deployed Unicco's large work force. Full story in The Boston Globe, 15 December 2003 (may require a subscription) Copyright 2003 INFORMATION, INC. |
